Specialised roles in artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and digital marketing are commanding salaries up to 25% higher than base compensation levels, according to the latest State of Global Compensation Report released by Deel in partnership with Carta. The study highlights how the accelerating demand for AI talent is reshaping compensation trends and hiring strategies, especially in competitive markets such as Singapore.
The annual report, now in its second year, offers an expanded analysis of salary trends and equity structures across both developed and emerging markets. As businesses seek to strengthen their competitive edge amid inflationary pressures and rapid technological change, compensation remains a key lever in attracting top talent. The report also provides guidance for companies looking to refine their talent acquisition strategies in AI-driven economies.
Specialised roles and equity-heavy packages on the rise
One of the most significant findings is the emergence of highly specialised AI roles tailored to specific business functions. Instead of broad-based AI engineering positions, companies are increasingly hiring for focused roles in areas such as finance, human resources, and product development. This shift mirrors the surge in data science hiring nearly a decade ago and reflects the growing need for precision in how organisations deploy AI capabilities.
The report notes that talent in specialised AI, cybersecurity, and digital marketing roles now commands a premium of 20% to 25% over base salaries. This premium reflects intense competition for skilled professionals, as companies seek to fill roles that directly influence innovation and business outcomes.
At the same time, compensation structures are evolving to include more equity-based incentives. Median equity packages for engineers have risen steadily between 2021 and 2025, underscoring a global trend towards equity-heavy remuneration. This approach not only aligns employee incentives with company performance but also helps startups compete for talent despite limited cash resources. Even early-stage firms are increasing salary offers and stock options to attract top-tier AI engineers.
Gender pay gap persists in engineering and data fields
Despite the surge in demand and evolving compensation models, the report reveals that a gender pay gap continues to persist in Singapore’s engineering and data sectors. The median annual salary for male professionals in these roles is US$93,000, compared to US$72,000 for their female counterparts. Overall, the median salary across engineering and data roles in Singapore stands at US$86,000.
This gap highlights ongoing challenges in achieving pay equity within the technology industry, despite broader efforts to improve diversity and inclusion. Addressing such disparities remains critical for companies aiming to attract and retain top talent in a highly competitive market.
Guiding future hiring strategies
For smaller markets like Singapore, the rise of cross-border hiring and remote work has opened access to a global talent pool. As a result, understanding both global and local compensation trends is becoming increasingly important for businesses developing long-term recruitment and retention strategies.
Deel and Carta’s State of Global Compensation Report is part of Deel’s ongoing mission to help companies make informed, equitable decisions in a rapidly evolving labour market. By providing timely data and actionable insights into compensation patterns across technical roles, the report aims to support organisations in building competitive and attractive offers for today’s jobseekers.
